Non-experimental Research

We explain what non-experimental research is, the characteristics of this method and its types. Also, examples of this type of design.

What is non-experimental research?

Non-experimental research It is one in which phenomena are observed and analyzed as they occur in their natural environment. This is a type of study in which the conditions are not modified nor the variables manipulated.

In the non-experimental type of research, the aim is to establish relationships between variables or describe behaviors and characteristics, but without actively influencing them. It is usually used to study situations where it is not possible or ethical to manipulate the phenomenon or its environment.

Those who carry out non-experimental research act as observers. This means that focus on collecting data and information objectivelywithout trying to change anything. They study the phenomenon rigorously and rely on contextual and documentary information.

This approach is very useful in fields such as sociology, psychology, education and health, where it is essential to understand human behavior in its natural context. For example, you can analyze the study habits of students in their classrooms, or how people interact in a park. By observing without intervening, results are obtained that reflect reality more authentically..

See also: Research methods

Characteristics of non-experimental research

Non-experimental research has the following characteristics:

• natural environment. Phenomena are studied in their real context, without the manipulation of variables or environmental conditions.
• Observation and analysis. It focuses on the description, analysis and interpretation of relationships between variables or characteristics of a phenomenon.
• Transverse or longitudinal. It can be transversal (carried out at a single moment) or longitudinal (carried out over time to observe the evolution of the variables).
• Descriptive approach. It generally focuses on describing and understanding phenomena in reality, rather than testing hypotheses or establishing direct causes and effects.
• Using secondary data. Many times it is based on data that has already been collected by other research, statistics or documents.

Types of non-experimental research

The types of non-experimental research are classified into two broad categories: transversal and longitudinal, each with subtypes according to its objective and focus.

1. Cross-sectional research

Cross-sectional research is done in a single momentat a specific point in time. The aim is to collect data in one instance to describe or analyze variables without following their evolution. It can be carried out for different purposes:

• Descriptive cross-sectional research. Its purpose is to describe the situation or characteristics of a population at a specific time. It focuses on observing what the variables are like without establishing relationships between them. For example, a survey that collects information on the level of satisfaction of employees in a company.
• Causal cross-sectional research. Its objective is to identify relationships or associations between variables at a single moment, although without affirming a cause-effect relationship. For example, you can investigate whether there is a relationship between the educational level and people's income at a given time.

2. Longitudinal research

Longitudinal research is done over time and allows us to observe how the variables evolve. Data is collected at various time points. There are different types:

• Longitudinal trend research: trend. This study examines how one or more characteristics change over time in a general population or a specific group. You don't necessarily follow the same people, but you study how trends vary over time. For example, you can analyze how public opinion on a political issue changes over several years.
• Longitudinal evolution research: cohort. This study follows a group or cohort of people who share a common characteristic over time, to analyze how certain variables evolve. For example, you can study a group of people born in the same year and observe how their income varies throughout their lives.
• Panel longitudinal. This type of research follows certain individuals or units over time, with the aim of collecting data and studying changes in their characteristics. For example, you can survey the same students each year to analyze how their academic performance changes.

See also: Types of research

Non-experimental research instruments and techniques

In non-experimental research, different methodological tools can be used to carry out data collection and analysis of the phenomenon studied. Among them, there are various instruments, techniques and approaches:

• Statistical measurements. They allow us to identify patterns, trends and relationships between variables within a population. They are used software specialized to perform descriptive and inferential analyses, which facilitates data-based decision making.
• Document analysis. These are investigations in which bibliographic or newspaper sources are consulted, to find the ideas and findings of previous authors. This approach allows the researcher to contextualize their study, identify relevant theories, and review previous research on the topic.
• Formal studies. They are characterized by a systematic and structured approach to data collection. Standardized instruments, such as surveys or guided interviews, are used to ensure the validity and reliability of the information collected.
• Surveys. They consist of the application of questionnaires to a representative sample of the population to collect data on opinions, attitudes, behaviors and demographic characteristics. They allow information to be obtained quickly and efficiently, which facilitates quantitative analysis.
• Interviews. They are guided conversations in which the researcher asks questions of the participants to obtain qualitative information about their experiences, perceptions and feelings.
• Focus groups. These are moderated discussions, where a small group of people share their opinions and experiences on a specific topic. The moderator guides the conversation, ensuring that all participants have the opportunity to express themselves.
• Case studies. They focus on the deep and contextualized analysis of a single case (person, group, organization or phenomenon). They allow complex situations to be investigated in their real context, providing rich and detailed information.

See also: Research techniques

How to do non-experimental research?

To carry out non-experimental research, the following steps may be useful:

1. Define the problem. Identify the phenomenon or topic to be studied and formulate the questions that the research aims to answer.
2. Review the bibliography. Review previous studies on the topic to understand what has been researched before and from what perspectives. This allows us to find gaps in knowledge and helps define the variables to analyze and better design the research.
3. Set objectives. Define the specific objective of the study and formulate clear questions to guide the investigation. These must be linked to the description or relationship between the variables.
4. Choose the type of research. Decide whether to conduct a cross-sectional (at a specific point in time) or longitudinal (over time) study.
5. Choose the variables and the sample. Define the variables to be investigated and select the participants who will be the subject of the study.
6. Design the instruments. Create or select research tools to collect data (surveys, interviews, guides, forms, among others).
7. Collect the data. Apply the instruments and collect the information without manipulating the variables.
8. Analyze the data. Organize the information obtained and analyze relationships between variables.
9. Interpret and conclude. Interpret the results, answer the research questions and write conclusions.
10. Prepare the report. Write the final report, explaining the findings, conclusions and possible recommendations.

Advantages and disadvantages of non-experimental research

Among the main advantages From non-experimental research there are:

1. Ethics. This type of research does not involve the manipulation of variables or conditions, so it reduces the risk of harm to participants and does not expose them to unwanted situations produced by the study.
2. Contextualization. By studying phenomena in their natural context, you can provide richer and more detailed information about real human behavior and social interactions.
3. Flexibility. It adapts to a variety of situations and types of research, allowing multiple approaches and methods to be used.
4. Cost and time. In many cases, nonexperimental research can be less expensive and time-consuming than experimental studies, especially if it is based on existing data or uses observation.

Among the main disadvantages From non-experimental research there are:

1. Causality. It does not allow definitive causal relationships to be verified, since it is not possible to control the variables that affect the phenomenon studied. This limits the ability to make inferences about why certain phenomena occur.
2. Confounding variables. By not manipulating the environment or the elements of the phenomenon studied, there may be confusion in the interpretation of the relationships between the variables of interest.
3. Data availability. In many cases, nonexperimental studies rely on secondary data (already collected previously) or on data collection through surveys, interviews, or observations. If necessary information is not available or difficult to obtain, this may limit the scope and validity of the research.

Examples of non-experimental research

Non-experimental research is used in different fields and disciplines. Below, some examples are described and it is specified what type of experimental research was carried out, what were its instruments and its methodology.

Relationship between the use of social networks and sleep quality

The purpose of this study by Levenson, Shensa, and Sidanies is to examine the relationship between social media use and sleep disturbances in young adults. Its features are described below:

• Typology: It is an example of non-experimental cross-sectional research, since it observes the relationship between the use of social networks and sleep problems in a group of young people at a specific time.
• Methodology: It uses a quantitative methodology that includes surveys to collect data on smartphone use habits and sleep quality.
• Study conclusions: The results reveal that greater social media use is associated with a higher incidence of sleep problems, suggesting that online interaction may negatively affect the quality of rest.

Full research reference: Levenson, JC, Shensa, A., Sidani, JE et al. (2016). The Association between Social Media Use and Sleep Disturbances among Young Adults. Preventive Medicine Reports(85), 36-41.

The impact of reading on vocabulary development

The goal of Mar and Oatley's study is to evaluate the impact of reading fiction on vocabulary development in different age groups. The study can be described as follows:

• Typology: It has a non-experimental, cross-sectional approach, which evaluates the relationship between fiction reading and vocabulary development in different age groups without manipulating any variables.
• Methodology: An analysis of literary texts is carried out and standardized tests are used to measure the participants' vocabulary.
• Study conclusions: Adolescents who read more fiction show a larger vocabulary, suggesting that literary reading contributes to lexical enrichment.

Full study reference: Mar, RA and Oatley, K. (2008). The Function of Fiction Is the Function of the Imagination. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(3), 173-192.

Difference between experimental and non-experimental research

In an experimental study, the research team deliberately constructs a situation to which individuals or different elements of the phenomenon they seek to analyze are exposed. This situation implies that, during the experiment, individuals receive a treatment, a condition or a stimulus under certain circumstances. The research team then analyzes the effects of such exposure. In this way, it is considered that experimental research creates or constructs a controlled reality to study the phenomenon.

On the contrary, non-experimental research does not create any new situation, but rather observes the phenomenon in already existing situations, which were not directly caused by the researcher. There, the variables that affect the phenomenon have already occurred and cannot be manipulated.

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References

• Agudelo, G., Aigneren, M. and Restrepo, JR (2008). Experimental and non-experimental research designs. Sociology in its Scenarios, (18), 1-46. https://revistas.udea.edu.co/
• Gómez Galán, J. and Pagán Maldonado, N. (2018). Strategies for generalizing through non-experimental research. In: E. López-Meneses, D. Cobos-Sanchiz, AH Martín-Padilla, L. Molina-García and A. Jaén-Martínez (Eds.), Pedagogical experiences and educational innovation. Contributions from teaching and research praxis (pp. 2614-2627). Octahedron.
• Hernández Sampieri, R., Fernández Collado, C. and Baptista Lucio, P. (1991). Non-experimental research designs. Research methodology. McGraw-Hill.